Think weapon's footwork. If you don't agree, then I suggest that yo try adapting what you do with weapons to your empty hand fighting. It will allow you to cover greater distances with less effort than you would just shuffling. If you have good "weapon's" footwork, you are used to essentially, "walking" and striking with power. It allows you to cover much, much more ground to corral an opponent. It is something that just isn't practiced in boxing, not to say that a boxer could not do such a thing. Being a good perimeter defender in basketball has similar footwork as well.
My system of WC is very footwork oriented. Maybe you have a different experience?